Tank-cleaning device



March 12, 1957 A R, YQUNG TANK-CLEANING DEVICE,

2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Nov. 18, 1955 w. w f d v F p v V C INVENTOR. M/Sfr/z/f' i )2.2/7/

,9 ralf/VIV? March l2, 1957 A. R. YOUNG 2,785,098

TANK-CLEANING DEVICE Filed Nov. 18, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENToR.

fri/a?" @FIVE/S TANK-CLEANlNG DEVICE Arthur R. Young, Highland Park, Mich. Application November 18, 1955, Serial No. 547,702

9 Claims. (Cl. 299-62) This invention relates broadly to apparatus for cleaning tanks and the like 'and' more particularly to an apparatus for cleaning and iiushing the interior of tank cars or trailers of the type conventionally used for transporting milk land the like.

As suggested, milk frequently is shipped in tank cars or trailers and it is of course necessary to clean these tanks after each shipment. ln practice, this is a difficult task. ln each instance, access is had to the interior of the tank through a manhole but it is diflicult for ya person working inside the tank to clean it properly. On the other hand, the essentially long, relatively low shape of the tank makes it diiiicult for a `person outside the tank to clean the interior thereof.

An important object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that can be introduced into the tank through the conventional manhole and that is operable to clean the inside of the tank. i

Another object of the invention Ais to provide an :apparatus of the above-mentioned character that is relatively transportable and that can be readily inserted in or removed from the tank.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the above-mentioned character that can be readily adapted for automatic operation.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the` above-mentioned character that is etlicient in operation and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification and wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional View showing parts in elevation of a tank-cleaning apparatus embodying the invention,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional View taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the nozzles at one side of the apparatus through which cleaning liquid is dis* charged into the tank and related mechanism for oscillating the nozzles,

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectionafview taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, and

Fig. Sis an enlarged view similar to Fig. 3 but showing a modified construction embodying the invention.

Reference is first had to the form of the invention shown in Figs. `l-4 which comprises a horizontal, elongated housing having an upright, tubular neck 12 fastened to the underside of a manhole cover 14. The latter is adapted to iit the manhole with which tank cars and trailers conventionally are provided, and the cover preferably is provided with suitable means (not shown) for fastening it to the car during operation of the instant apparatus. The housing 18 and its adjuncts are dimens sioned to pass readily through the manhole into and out of the tank. f

Liquid from any suitable source is introduced into the tank through a pipe 16 which extends downwardly through the cover 14 and neck 12 into the interior of the housing 10. A T-iitting 18 on the lower end of the pipe 16 dis charges the liquid horizontally in opposite directions through the branches 20 'and 22. Collar bearings 24 and 26 threaded on the branches 20 and 22 respectively rotatably support disks 28 and 30 on the ends of pipes 32 and 34, tand packing 35 of the type shown in Fig. 3 maintains uidtight seals between the collars and the disks While permitting the pipes to rotate freely relative to the collar bearings and the fitting 22. The pipes 32 and 34 extend through the ends of the housing 10, and nozzle assemblies 36 and 38 are mounted on the projecting terminal portions of the pipes. It is intended that the apparatus be placed inthe tank with the nozzle assemblies 36 land 38 facing opposite ends of the tank.

The two nozzle assemblies 36 and 38 are identical in construction andoperation, and a detailed description of one only, therefore, is given. As shown in Figs. 24-4, the nozzle assembly 36 comprises a T-litting 40 having a collar 42 threaded on the projecting terminal portion of `the pipe 32 and secured by a transverse pin or a screw 144. The fitting 40 also is provided with opposed side openings 46 and 48 which extend at right angles to the axis of the pipe 32 and receive ends of the Lshape`d nozzles Sti and 52. The nozzles 58 and 52 are secured by retaining caps 54 and 56, land seals 58 and 68 prevent leakage at the holes 46 and 48. This arrangement permits the nozzles 58 and 52 to rotate freely relative to the fitting 48. The right-angled outer end portions of the nozzles 58 and 52 extend generally in the same direction, but -one preferably is offset slightly angularly with respect to the other, :as shown in Fig. l.

Manifestly, liquid introduced under pressure through the pipe 16 is discharged simultaneously through both nozzles of each nozzle assembly 36 and 38.

In order to bring the streams of liquid discharged front the nozzles 58 and 52 into contact with the entire circumference of the tank, means is provided for rotating the pipes 32 and 34 andthe nozzle assemblies 36 and 38 carried thereby. The particular drive here shown comprises a reversing motor 62 mounted on the manhole cover 14. The drive shaft 64 4of the motor 62 carries a `bevel gear 66 which meshes with a bevel gear 68 on and fixed to a vertical shaft 70 supported for rotation in the neck portion 12 of the housing 10 by bearings 72 and 74. A bevel gear 76 on the lower end of the shaft 70 meshes with a bevel gear 78 on a cross-shaft 88 which is journaled for rotation in bearings 82 and 84 on the housing 18. Spur gears 86 and 88 on the cross-shaft 8l) mesh with corresponding larger -gears and 92 on the pipes 32 and 34.

In operation, the motor 62 drives the shaft 70 through bevel gears 66 and 68,1and the shaft in turn drives the cross-shaft 88 through bevel gears 76 and 78. Crossshaft 88 drives the pipes 32 and 34 in the same direction and at the same speed through the spur gears 86, 98, and

"88, 92. The gearing preferably is such that the pipes 32 and 34 are rotated at a considerably slower speed that the drive-shaft of the motor 62. Manifestly, rotation of the pipes 32 and 34 in this mann-er rotates the nozzle assemblies 36 and 38 about horizontal axes and causes streams of liquid discharged from the nozzles 58 and 52 of each assembly to sweep the entire circumference of the tank in which the apparatus is mounted.

Means also is provided for oscillating the nozzles 50 and 52 of each nozzle assembly 36 and 38 back and forth through an angle of approximately 90 between thefullline and the broken-line positions shown in Fig. l. Ident tical oscillating drive means are provided for both noz zle assemblies 36 and 38, and a detailed description of but one therefore will surce. Figs. 3 and 4 show the oscillating drive means for the nozzle assembly 36, and this drive comprises a relatively large, internally thread* ed band or ring 9.4 disposed around and concentric to the shaft 32. Mounting brackets 96, 98, and 100 on thehous ing fastened to yradial lugs 102, 104, and 106 on the ring 94 hold the llatter stationary in the housing. An externally threaded disk 108 is mounted on the pipe 32, and external radial splines 110 and 112 on the pipe connect the disk for mutual rotation therewith while permitting the disk to slide axially on and relative to the pipe. As shown in Fig. 3, the external threads -of the disk 10S engage the internal threads of the ring 94. Manifestly, rotation of the pipe 32 acts through the splines 1 10.and 112 to rotate the disk 103 and the llatter moves forwardly or rearwardly on the internal threads of the housing, depending upon the direction of rotation of the pipe. A bar 114 on the outer face of the disk 10S extends forwardly through the open outer end of the ring 94, and a dovetail guide 116 formed centrally on the undersurface thereof travels 'in a way 118 provided in the fitting 40, as shown in Fig. 2. Racks 120 and 122 at the sides of the bar 114 mesh with pinions 124 and 126 on the nozzles Si? and 52 respectively. Thus, reciprocatory travel Of the disk 10S in the ring 94 acts through the racks V1,20 and 122 and pinions 124 and 126 to rock the nozzles S6 and 52 about axes disposed at right angles to the axis of the pipe 32. Manifestly, oscillation of the nozzles in this manner causes the streams of liquid discharged from the nozzles to move to and from the ends of the tank in which the apparatus is mounted, and when the oscillatory motion is performed simultaneously with rotation of the nozzle assembly in the manner hereinabove described, the streams of liquid effectively cover the entire inner surface of the tank. Further, when the nozzles 50 and 52 of each nozzle assembly are offset as shown in the drawings, thespray orstream from one nozzle trails the stream or spray from the other nozzle. In this manner, the nozzles create different spray patterns within the tank to increase the area 'being sprayed at any one time and to enhance the cleaning action of the device.

Means preferably is provided for reversing the motor 62 each time the oscillatory drive for the nozzles 50 and d2. reaches the limits of its travel in either direction, and it 1s contemplated that any suitable or conventional means may be provided for this purpose. The particular means here shown by way of illustration comprises an arm 128 mounted on external threads 130 provided in the shaft 70. Guides 132 and 134 at opposite sides of the shaft 70 extend through openings in the arm 128 to hold the latter against rotation. Thus, asthe shaft 70 is rotated by the motor 62, the arm 1.28 moves up or down on the shaft, Vdepending upon the direction of rotation of the motor. Limit switches 136 land 138 on opposite sides of the' arm 128 are electrically connected to the motor 62 in any suitable manner to control its direction of rotation, and the limit switches are spaced so that they reverse the rotation of the motor whenever the nozzles 50 and 52 reach the limits ot' their oscillatory travel. In this manner the streams of liquid'discharged by thenozzles Sti and 52 can be made to sweep back and'forth in the tank for any desired length of time and any desired number of times to effect a thorough cleaning of the tank.

Attention is now directed to Fig. 5 which shows a modified nozzle assembly and means for oscillating the same. in this form of the invention the nozzles are substantially the same as in the form tirst described except that the driving pinions 124i and 12.6 are omitted, and a pivoted link 14% is provided in place of the rack bar 114. Specifically, the link 14e is pivoted to a lug 142 on the disk MBS and to a lug 1de on a member (not shown) connecting the nozzles 50 and The pipe 32, the nozzle assembly mounted thereon, the disk 19%, and the ylink 141) all rotate in unison; and, `as the disk moves back and forth in the ring 94, the link oscillates the nozzles 50 and 52in the same manner as the rack-and-pinion mechanism first described.

lt may thus be seen that I have achieved the objects of my invention. I have provided an apparatus that can be easily introduced in or removed from a tank car or trailer and, when installed, functions automatically to wash thoroughly all of the interior surface of the tank. Further, the apparatus can be operated to wash the interior any desired number of times. The apparatus is versatile in use in that several liquids can be discharged in succession through the nozzles 50 and 52. Thus, a cleaning liquid can be first introduced into the tank and then, after the interior has been thoroughly cleaned, clear water or other suitable liquid can beA directed to and through the apparatus to ush the cleaned surfaces of the tank. Manifestly, the flushing liquid also can be flushed repeatedly over the interior surface of the tank to assure the effective removal of all cleaning liquid.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

l. Tank-cleaning apparatus comprising a nozzle, a rotatable, tubular shaft carrying said nozzle, rotary drive means for said shaft, a stationary, internally threaded sleeve around said shaft, an externally threaded disk in and in threaded engagement with said sleeve rotatable with said shaft and slidable thereon, whereby said disk is ycaused to move longitudinally in said sleeve by rotation of said shaft, and means operable by longitudinal travel of said disk for oscillating said nozzle about an axis at right angles to the rotational axis of said shaft.

2. Tank-cleaning apparatus comprising a nozzle, a rotatable, tubular shaft carrying said nozzle, 4rotary drive means for said shaft, a stationary, internally threaded tubular sleeve Varound said shaft, an externally threaded disk in and in threaded engagement with said sleeve rotatable with said shaft and silidable thereon, whereby said disk is caused to move longitudinally in said sleeve by rotation of said shaft, `rack-andpinion means interconnecting said disk and said nozzle operable to translate axial movement of said disk into oscillatory movement of said nozzle about an axis at right angles to the axis of rotation of said shaft.

3. Tank-cleaning apparatus comprising a nozzle, a rotatable, tubular shaft carrying said nozzle, rotary drive means for said shaft, astationary, internally threaded tubular sleeve around said shaft, an externally threaded disk in and in threaded engagement with said sleeve rotatabie with said shaft Vand slidable thereon, whereby said disk is caused to move longitudinally in said sleeve vby rotation of said shaft, and a pivoted linkage interconnecting said disk and said nozzle operable to translate axial movement of the disk into oscillatory movement of said nozzle about an axis at right angles to the rotational axis of said shaft. i

4. Tank-cleaning apparatus comprising a nozzle, a rotatable, tubular shaft carrying said nozzle, rotary drive means for said shaft, Va stationary, internally threaded tubular sleeve around said shaft, an externally threaded disk in and in threaded engagement with said sleeve rotatable with said shaft and slidable thereon, whereby said disk is caused to move longitudinally in-said sleeve by rotation of said shaft, means operable by longitudinal travel of said disk for oscillatingsaid nozzle about an axis at right angles to the rotational axis of said shaft, and means for controlling `the travel of said diskvto oscillate said nozzle through an arc of approximately Y".

5. Tank-cleaning apparatus comprising a nozzle, a rotatable, tubular shaft carrying said nozzle, rotary drive meansfor said shaft, a stationary, internally threaded tubular sleeve around said shaft, an externallyrthreaded disk in and in threaded engagement with said sleeve rotatable with said shaft yand slidable thereon, Awhereby said disk is caused to move longitudinally in said sleeve by rotation of said shaft, means operable by longitudinal travel of said disk for oscillating said nozzle about an axis at right angles to the rotational axis of said shaft,

'and means for reversing the travel of said disk automatically after a predetermined oscillatory movement of said nozzle.

6. Tank-cleaning apparatus comprising a nozzle, a rotatable, tubular shaft carrying said nozzle, rotary drive means for said shaft, a stationary, internally threaded tubular sleeve around said shaft, an externally threaded disk in and in threaded engagement with said sleeve rotatable with said shaft and slidable thereon, whereby said disk is caused to move longitudinally in said sleeve by rotation of said shaft, means operable by longitudinal travel of said disk for oscillating said nozzle about an axis at right angles to the rotational axis of said shaft, and means for reversing said drive after a predetermined oscillatory movement of said nozzle.

7. A tank-cleaning apparatus adapted to be inserted into a tank to be cleaned through an opening thereof comprising a pipe arranged to extend into said tank through said opening and adapted to carry a cleaning liquid into said tank, diametrically opposed rotatable tubular shafts disposed at right angles to said pipe and communicating therewith to receive cleaning liquid therefrom, means for simultaneously rotatably driving said shafts, nozzles on the ends of said shafts, each of said nozzles having a tubular intermediate portion disposed at right angles to and in communication with its respective shaft and substantially right angularly disposed terminal portions through which cleaning liquid is discharged into said tank, and means for oscillating said nozles about the axes of said intermediate portions and through angles of at least substantially 90, whereby the simultaneous rotation of said shafts and oscillation of said nozzles spray said cleaning liquid over the entire inner surface of said tank including the sides, top, bottom and ends thereof.

8. A tank cleaning apparatus adapted to be inserted into a tank to be cleaned through an opening thereof comprising a pipe arranged to extend into said tank through said opening and adapted tocarry a cleaning liquid into said tank, diametrically opposed rotatable tubular shafts disposed at right angles to said pipe and communicating therewith to receive cleaning liquid thereform, nozzles on the ends of said shafts, each of said nozzles having a tubular intermediate portion disposed at right angles to and in communication with its respective shaft and substantially right angularly disposed terminal portions through which cleaning liquid is discharged into said tank, a single drive means for rotatably driving said shafts in unison and simultaneously oscillating said nozzles about the axes of said intermediate portions so as to rock the terminal portions thereof through angles of at least substantially whereby cleaning liquid discharged from said nozzles is directed against the entire inner surface of said tank including the sides, top, bottom and ends thereof from a single position of said apparatus in said tank.

9. A tank cleaning apparatus adapted to be inserted into a tank to be cleaned through an opening thereof comprising a pipe arranged to extend into said tank through said opening and adapted to carry a cleaning liquid into said tank, diametrically opposed rotatable tubular shafts disposed at right angles to said pipe and communicating therewith to receive cleaning liquid therefrom, nozzles on the ends of said shafts, each of said nozzles having a tubular intermediate portion disposed at right angles to and in communication with its respective shaft and substantially right angularly disposed terminal portions through which cleaning liquid is discharged into said tank, means for rotatably driving said shafts in unison, and means driven by said shafts for translating rotary movement thereof into oscillatory movement of said nozzles about the axes of said intermediate portions said last mentioned drive being operative to rock the terminal portions of said nozzles back and forth through angles of at least substantially 90, whereby streams of cleaning liquid discharged fro-m said nozzles are directed onto the entire surface of said tank including the sides, top, bottom and ends thereof.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,557,240 Butterworth Oct. 13, 1925 1,657,990 Blouin Jan. 3l, 1928 1,831,029 Paris Nov. 10, 1931 

